The candidates hoping to win a seat in one of Rochdale's parliamentary constituencies in this year's General Election have been announced.
The polls will open on Thursday December 12 with voters getting the chance to put a cross next to who they want to represent them as their MP in Parliament .
In Rochdale, voters will be electing MPs for the Rochdale and Heywood and Middleton Parliamentary constituencies.
Rochdale
Former Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd has represented Rochdale since 2017, when he replaced scandal-stricken predecessor Simon Danczuk as the Labour candidate. Now shadow Northern Ireland secretary, he was elected with 58pc of the vote, beating off competition from the Tories’ Jane Howard and Lib Dem Andy Kelly - both of whom still sit on the borough council, Kelly as group leader.
The constituency has ping-ponged between Labour and Lib Dem representation over recent decades - including by disgraced Liberal Party (later Lib Dem) MP Cyril Smith between 1972 and 1992. Labour will be favourites to retain the seat - having increased their vote share by nearly 12pc in 2017 - despite Rochdale local authority area having voted 60pc in favour of leave in 2016. However, the Lib Dems Andy Kelly has increased his profile as an outspoken performer in the council chamber and is standing against Andy Burnham in next year’s mayoral election.
Conservative newcomer Atifa Shah will be hoping she can go one better than her predecessor Jane Howard, who finished second in 2017.
Below, the five candidates vying for the Rochdale constituency seat set out their stall ahead of the election on December 12.
Sarah Croke - Green Party
"As a resident of Rochdale, I am able to understand and represent the concerns and priorities of people in this constituency.
"I previously led a successful campaign (and secured funding) to improve play facilities in the town and have twice been a Green Party candidate in the local elections.
"I am active within local amateur theatre and am a keen supporter of Rochdale Music Service, where both my children are young musicians
"If elected, I will work towards creating a more caring society where everybody feels valued and has equal opportunities.
"I will work to improve transport, air quality, housing, public health and social care; and increase the support available for people to participate in activities that have been shown to support mental health and wider wellbeing i.e. nature, sport and arts activities.
"I am committed to preserving our greenbelt and open spaces as once this green land is lost it will never be replaced."
Chris Green - Brexit Party
"I believe in democracy, equality and sovereignty these three basics are why I joined the Brexit party.
"The people of Rochdale have spoken almost 60 per cent voted to leave the EU to get our own laws back, our fishing waters, our armed forces our borders to name a few but their current Labour MP has consistently refused, ignored and undemocratically voted against his constituents.
"This is not the parliamentary system we want. Parliament works for the people not the reverse.
"Nigel Farage has released an excellent contract,( not a manifesto which now is just a list of soon to be broken promises) which promotes change, democracy , that are basic common sense and promote a very bright future.
"It’s available for anybody on line to view in detail. I’m promoting a bright future for Rochdale with investment in the area , investment in the NHS , controlled immigration ,and an MP who will listen. Vote Brexit party to make sure Brexit happens for our bright future."
Andy Kelly - Liberal Democrats
"I am the only candidate standing in Rochdale who can call the constituency home and is Rochdale born and bred.
"I believe my passion and pride in Rochdale will win over thousands of voters, even Brexit supporters.
"I have has a track record as a tireless campaigner for Milnrow and Newhey (where I am a councillor) and more widely in the Rochdale borough.
"I believe peo ple are craving an MP who is down to earth, hard-working and utterly committed to restoring pride in Rochdale.
"I am standing locally on a platform of fighting Labour’s plans to build on the greenbelt, on running a seven-days-a -week constituency office in the town centre and re-building Rochdale’s reputation following numerous political scandals."
Tony Lloyd - Labour
"People in Rochdale will soon decide what kind of country we want for ourselves and our loved ones. The majority will choose hope.
"We've been let down by Tory (and LibDem) cuts which have left schools underfunded robbing our children, or an NHS whose brilliant medical professionals can no longer properly cope and offer the sick the care they need.
"Too many families are now struggling as incomes simply don’t keep pace with prices.
"We know we can do better. Labour’s costed plans will see us rebuild our shattered public services and invest in the technologies and jobs of the future and make our country a global leader in combatting climate change.
"And on Brexit, we’ll reject PM Johnson’s dangerous plans which will let US health companies into our NHS. Labour will renegotiate a deal that protects trade, jobs, environmental and food standards, as well as rights at work. A workable Brexit or Remain: let the people decide."
Atifa Shah - Conservative
"It’s time to give democracy the respect that it deserves, and to give the people of Rochdale the platform and voice that we have failed to get under Labour.
"I know what our residents worry about because I worry about the same things. We don’t need the same results that Labour has always delivered in this town; underinvestment and under supported, we deserve more.
"I’m a born and bred Rochdale lass and as youth MP for Rochdale (2005-2007) I led many campaigns including one which led to the opening of Rochdale Sixth Form and fought the Labour government in 2007 against the closure of Rochdale infirmary,
"We need bold ambitious plans for Rochdale, and I am here to ensure that my Rochdale prospers, grows, and becomes a hub of opportunity for the talent we have here.
"I intend to lead with presence."
Heywood and Middleton
Created in 1983, the constituency of Heywood and Middleton has largely been a Labour stronghold ever since - apart from a severe wobble in the 2014 by-election, when UKIP came with a few hundred votes of taking it. Incumbent Liz McInnes has since increased her majority in 2015 and 2017, but that close shave five years ago means that despite her current 8,000 majority, Nigel Farage’s candidate Colin Lambert - ex-leader of Rochdale council - will be eyeing it up.
Rochdale, in which Heywood and Middleton sits, voted 60pc leave in the referendum and as the Tories look to take northern seats that have not traditionally voted Conservative, Boris Johnson is likely to make the seat a target too.. But while Labour may fear a Brexiteer backlash, they will also hope that - in the absence of an electoral pact - the pro-leave vote will then be split. The Liberal Democrats will be represented by Anthony Smith, who ran for the party at the 2014 by-election, and currently sits on Kirklees Council.
Nigel Ainsworth Barnes - Green Party
Chris Clarkson - Conservatives
Colin Lambert - Brexit Party
Liz McInnes - Labour
Anthony Smith - Liberal Democrats
To vote all you need to do is go to a polling station - but it does have to be the location listed on your polling card.
Once you arrive, just tell the staff your name and address and they will cross your name off the list and tell you what you need to do.
You will be asked to enter a booth, vote for the choice of candidate and place the paper in the ballot box.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on the day, and are usually public buildings such as schools or local halls.
